Rudolph m



(No Model.)

R. M. HUNTER.

EL EOTRIO BRAKE.

Patented June 1,1897.

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UNITED STATES FFICE.

PATENT RUDOLPH M. HUNTER, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THEELECTRIC CAR COMPANY OF AMERICA, OF SAME PLACE.

ELECTRIC BRAKE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 583,880, dated June 1,1897.

Original application filed July 14, 1885, Serial No. 171,625. Dividedand this application filed October 1, 1891. $erial N0.

407,387. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I. RUDOLPH M. HUNTER, of the city and county ofPhiladelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented an Improvement inElectric Railways, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has reference to electric railways; and it consists ofcertain improvements which are fully set forth in the followingspecification and shown in the accompanying drawings, which form a partthereof.

This application (Case No. 210) is a division of my application, SerialNo. 171,625, filed. July 14., 1885, and has particular reference to im-I 5 provements for magnetizing the axles with especial reference tocreating a braking effect.

In carrying out my invention I provide an electrically-propelled vehiclewith an electric motor mechanically connected with one or both axles forrotating them. Carried by the frame of the vehicle and encircling one ofthe axles is a helix o1 solenoid, which is arranged in circuit with themain-line conductors extending along the railway leading from a 2 5source of electric supply. Arranged within the helix or solenoid andsurrounding the axle is a core of iron, which may be made movable andadapted to be moved in one direction by the action of the helix and inthe other direction by means of a spring. This core may be connectedwith the axle by means of a feather or spline, which will permitlongitudinal movement. The frame of the helix or solenoid may beprovided with a conical 3 5 aperture, and the core may be provided witha conical end adapted to fit the conical aperture, so that when the coreis drawn into the helix or solenoid it-may create a braking effect.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating thecircuits of an electric railway and car embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation on line w w of an electrically-propelledvehicle embodying my invention, and Fig. 3 is a plan view'of the 5running-gear of said vehicle with the helix in section.

A is the railway.

D and C are two working conductors extending along the railway andleading from a source of electrical energy B.

H is an electrically-propelled vehicle and is provided with an electricmotor P, which may be of any desired construction. This motor isconnected with the car-axles T through worm P, worm-wheel P shaft P andbevel-gears Q. The frame H of the vehicle is supported upon and moved bythe axles.

K is a current-collector having contacts L for making electricalconnection with the conductors C and D and from which contacts themotor-circuits W W emanate. The collector K is carried by a longitudinalframe M, hung from the vehicle-frame H by means of links N.

S is an electric-brake apparatus and consists of the solenoid or helix Sheld stationary and concentric with the axle T. The helix or solenoid Sis supported by the frame H and is carried by the vehicle so that itcannot ro- 7o tate. S is a core connected with the axle T by a featheror spline, so that it rotates with the axle, but is free to slidelongitudinally thereon. The core is provided with a conical end S, whichis adapted to fit into a conical socket or recess formed upon the frameor case of the solenoid or helix. When the solenoid is energized, thecore is drawn in, compressing a spring 8, and thereby creating afriction sufficient to stop the rotation of the motor. By this means theaxle is prevented from rotating when desired, and at the same time itwill be seen that the contact between the wheel and rail is brought toamagnetic condition, which will prevent sliding when frequently inducedby the momentum of the car which is being suddenly stopped. The motor Preceives current from the motor-circuit WV W through a switch U. Thisswitch is provided with the lever U, having con- 0 tacts u u, and saidlever is connected with the positive conductor to the motor-circuit. Asthe switch-lever passes around in one direction the contacts to closethe circuit through the plugs V V V putting the arma- 5 ture of themotor in multiple or series with the field-magnets, and when turned inthe other direction it cuts out the motor and throws the current throughthe solenoid or helix S of the electric brake.

1. An electric brake S consisting of the combination of the axle '1, thelongitudinal sliding core S encircling the axle and having conicalfriction-heads S, and a solenoid or helix S having a stationary framewith a conical socket adapted to receive the conical head of the core.

2. An electric brake S consisting of the combination of the axle T, thelongitudinal sliding core S encircling the axle and having conicalfriction-head S, a spring acting to press the core in one direction toremove the braking action, and a solenoid or helix S having a stationaryframe with a conical socket formed to receive the conical head of thecore.

3. In an electrical]y-propelled vehicle, the combination of the axles ofa vehicle, an electric motor mechanically connected with the aXle torotate it, a helix or solenoid sur rounding one of the axles, means forinde pendently energizing the motor and helix, a frame carried upon theaxle and to which the helix and motor are firmly secured, and a movablecore surrounding the axle and within the solenoid or helix for creatinga friction between the frame of the helix or solenoid and said core whenthe latter is magnetized.

In testimony of which invention I have hereunto set my hand.

R. M. HUNTER.

Vitnesses:

ERNEST HOWARD HUNTER, S. T. YERKES.

